The Quantitative Ability area is one of those areas which is believed to give the CAT aspirants sleepless nights. If your weakest area is Quant, then you need to brush up on the specific important areas as now it is hardly two months left for CAT 2011.
To start with, we will focus on the area of Geometry which is considered to be one of the toughest portions of this section. As described by an expert, Geometry is all about visualization. Let us have a look at the area in detail.
The components of Geometry
Geometry part consists of the topics such as Lines, Angles, Triangles, Polygons, Circles and Co-ordinate Geometry. While describing the important topics of the Quantitative Ability section, R Shiva Kumar, Director (R & D), Career Launcher says, "Algebra and Geometry are the most important areas of the Quant section. Equations (linear + Quadratic), Series & Sequences, functions, Triangles, Circles, are more important of these."
Plain Geometry
Plain Geometry is about Angles and Lines. An angle is formed when two lines intersect. An angle of 900 is known as a right angle; an angle less than 900 is acute angle; an angle between 900 and 1800 is an obtuse angle; and angle between 1800 and 3600 is a reflex angle.
Circular Geometry
A circle is a curve drawn such that any point on the curve is equidistant from a fixed point. The fixed point is called the centre of the circle and the distance from the centre to any point on the circle is called the radius of the circle.
Solid Geometry
Solid Geometry deals with the areas and volumes of solids. Solids are three-dimensional objects that, in addition to area, have volume also. For solids, two different types of areas are defined.
(a) Lateral surface area or curved surface area, and
(b) Total surface area
At the name itself indicates, lateral surface area is the area of the curved surface of the solid. Total surface area includes the area of the top and the bottom of the solid. Hence,
Total surface area = Lateral surface area+ Area of the top face + Area of the bottom face.
Preparation for Geometry
Like every other section, improvement in geometry section depends on practice. Gejo Sreenivasan, Principal Consultant, Career Launcher suggests drawing figures to scales. "Geometry is about shapes. With shapes things will be in proportion. The best way to handle Geometry is to draw the figure to scale and then visually analyze the problem. In most of the cases you would be able to pick the right option," he mentions.
If you are weak in the Quantitative Ability, you should give ample time for each part of the section every day. And if Geometry is your particular weak point, then you should give it more time than other parts. Sreenivasan suggests a weekly plan for studying the various parts of the Quantitative Ability. "I would recommend alternating between areas. Monday - Arithmetic, Tuesday - Algebra, Wednesday - Geometry, Thursday - Modern Math, Friday - take test, Saturday - analyze, Sunday - revise weak areas. This, in a way, would ensure that you cover all the areas in the Quant equally," Sreenivasan recommends.
While attempting a geometry question in a mock test or the actual CAT 2011 exam, you should first draw the figure.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more on CAT 2011 preparation.
